Tummy Tuck: Who Is A Good Candidate?

Thinking of getting a tummy tuck done? To get the best results from a tummy tuck there are several criteria that describe a good candidate. Here is an overview of the various factors that you need to consider.

Media attention and advances in technology have made plastic surgery increasingly accessible and mainstream. As it seems like anyone and everyone is getting work done, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that perhaps not everybody should be getting work done. Who really is a good candidate for a procedure like a tummy tuck? Here is an overview of what generally describes the ideal candidate.

While there are some factors that are universally accepted, there is also much difference in opinion amongst doctors so a candidate needs to spend some time researching and interviewing doctors to identify one best suited for their individual goals and situation.

Self-image

It's very important for any patient to enter into surgery with realistic expectations foras to the outcome. A tummy tuck alone will tighten abdominal muscles and remove excess skin. It does not stop weight gain or the aging process, so a patient will need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise plan in order to preserve the results.

It's advised that patients do plenty of research and know what to expect in regards to complications, recovery and scarring. The incision scar will be permanently visible, although it will fade with time.

Finally, a patient should be emotionally healthy and understand that the tummy tuck procedure has its limitations, it will not achieve perfection. Patients who go into surgery with the most realistic expectations usually are found to have the highest levels of satisfaction with the results of cosmetic surgery procedures.

Other factors

A patient should be in physically good health and not have any serious medical conditions. This means that he or she can withstand the anesthesia and heal properly after the procedure. A candidate should not smoke, or be willing to quit for a period of time before and after the surgery.

A woman should not be pregnant or nursing and may want to consider waiting until she is finished having children, which could alter the results and require follow-up surgeries to fix. For the same reason it's best that patients be at a stable weight. The surgery is generally performed on women who have lost a lot of weight from child

Age

In general; patients should be 18 years of age and full developed. There is no agreed-upon upper age limit for receiving a tummy tuck or other forms of cosmetic surgery as long as a patient meets the other criteria.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR